Scouting For Girls: 'Heartbeat'

Released on Monday, Apr 7 2008

Published Wednesday, Mar 26 2008, 10:06 GMT | By Simon Reynolds | 7 comments

With a number one album and two top ten singles under their belts, Scouting For Girls seem to have cornered the market in piano-led indie-pop. New single 'Heartbeat' is a familiar-sounding offering about a girl who's "up for a laugh" but, frustratingly for frontman Roy Stride, a "pain in the arse" too. It's a pleasant enough listen, with a nicely buoyant chorus, but it does sound almost exactly like their previous single, and the one before it.

At this stage in the game, it's time to start asking questions: how long can Scouting For Girls push this factory-line indie sound before their fans tire of it? There's something refreshing about an indie band this free of cynicism, especially one who shoot for catchy summer anthems over introspection and shoe-gazing. However, Scouting For Girls will have to show a little more diversity if they want to match the success of current "soft rock" kings The Feeling.

> Click here to watch the 'Heartbeat' video

More: Scouting For Girls, Music

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7 Comments

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jimmy, on October 4th, 2010
Yes, just look at them now! They're stil the worst band in the history of popular music! They still haven't figured out how to write a song with more than 3 notes or 2 lines of lyrics! And since when did 'Easter number 1' have any kudos attached to it?

Bethany, on August 6th, 2010
HAHA. NO IDEA, LOOK AT THEM NOW, two albums, 3 top tens, easter number one. you really need better critics.

Rachel, Manchester, on June 27th, 2008
I'm shocked at DS's review - this is my favourite song at the moment. It has similarities to previous SFG singles, but you can't deny that it's catchy.

Andy, Hull, on April 18th, 2008
Scouting fir girls are a musical breath of fresh air, their catchy tunes and memorable choruses stick in the mind. This said they are beginning to sound like they quit music lessons after learning just one tune, finding a style which you are comfortable with is something very differant to reashing the same tune with new lyrics 3 times in a row. This song is almost a carbon copy of Elvis aint dead and She's so lovely, right down to the 5 bar piano solo introduction and musical break towards the middle of the bridge before the catchy chorus kicks in to full swing. Like the tune, like the boys and currently have their album in my cars CD player, but a little diversity in singles releases may help them achieve that elusive stardom!

Caroline, Surrey, on April 8th, 2008
So what if they have found a style they are happy with?! Just because they are not the coolest band at the moment, shouldn't take away from the fact their songs are bloody catchy and can't fail to make you smile :) They are wicked live too!

Carl, Stockport, on March 31st, 2008
as all of there songs are, its really good, i love SFG's songs there gr8, i was hooked on Elvis ant Dead, now im hooked on this one, gr8 job guys

DB, York, on March 26th, 2008
I agree it does sound fairly similar but it is still a good song with a catchy chorus.